Ben More Assynt, Mountain summit in Northwest Highlands, Scotland
Ben More Assynt is a mountain in northwest Scotland standing 998 meters tall, with light-colored quartzite boulders scattered across its upper slopes. The summit is part of a distinctive range in the Highland region that rises dramatically from surrounding valleys.
The mountain formed millions of years ago through geological processes that exposed the quartzite now covering its slopes. An Avro Anson aircraft crashed here in 1941, and a granite memorial marker at 600 meters honors those lost.
The name comes from Gaelic and means "big mountain", reflecting how local people traditionally named peaks across the Scottish landscape. This naming practice shows how the land itself tells stories through its language.
Hikers start from the village of Inchnadamph and follow the River Traligill path on a round trip of about 16 kilometers. The walk takes most of the day, so visitors should start early and be prepared for steep sections and rocky terrain.
This mountain serves as a watershed between two different water systems, with rainfall flowing in opposite directions from its summit. Water drains toward the North Sea on one side and toward the Atlantic Ocean on the other, making it a key natural dividing point in the landscape.
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